Would you believe it if you knew that there is a Grand Canyon in India too? Shocking but true! There really is a fascinating canyon, as beautiful as the Grand Canyon in India. So where is this lovely place? Is it really like the Grand Canyon? We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay 24 kilometers from the city of Kota in Rajasthan lies one of India's best-kept secrets: Garadia Mahadev, our very own Grand Canyon. The Garadia Mahadev temple is located on a gorge formed by the Chambal River, one of the major tributaries of the Yamuna. Garadia Mahadev is a short detour on NH-76 connecting Chittorgarh to Dabi. Garadia Mahadev takes its name from the archaic Mahadev temple located on the steep cliffs created by the Chambal River Gorge. The river meanders gently through the rugged Malwa plateau, carving its own canyon as it meanders through Chambal Ghati. Garadia Mahadev has become one of the major tourist destinations in the sleepy city of Kota. It is the second most popular "Things to Do" in Kota according to the widely used travel web portal - Trip Advisor. The place owes its popularity to an exceptional combination of religious belief and natural splendor. The ancient Garadia Mahadev temple is definitely worth visiting. Almost every day you will hear local priests chanting Shiv Stotra in the most picturesque places you can imagine. Listening to the powerful hymns sitting on the cutouts in the cliff with the backdrop of the beautiful Chambal Gorge is a surreal experience. The beauty of the Chambal River can be experienced in all its splendor at Garadia Mahadev. The scenic imagery created by the gorge is truly remarkable. The horseshoe bend in the Garadia Mahadev crevasses offers exceptional views of the gorge. Garadia Mahadev is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, college students and the ubiquitous Indian couple seeking "privacy". Peacocks, monkeys and langurs are the most commonly seen animals. The river itself is very popular with ornithologists. The boat expedition offers the chance to see storks, babblers, hawks and Sarus cranes, to name a few. Wildlife enthusiasts have also reported sightings of gharial crocodile, leopards and jackals on several occasions. Its breathtaking panorama offers photographers and Instagrammers unparalleled images of a never-seen and unexplored spectacle of our incredible country. The Chambal River is considered one of the cleanest rivers in India. And it owes its pristine form today to an extraordinary folklore dating back to the times of the Mahabharata. According to popular legend, the Pandavas lost all their wealth and the respect of the lovely Draupadi to their cousins, the Kauravas, in a dice game played on the banks of the Chambal river. Draupadi was immensely angry at this humiliation and cursed the Chambal river for being a silent witness to this shameful incident. Draupadi cursed whoever drank the waters of the Chambal would be filled with an insatiable thirst for punishment. Ironically, this curse cast thousands of years ago has proven to be a boon to the river, protecting its beauty and purity from the damage done by humanity. Unpolluted by the human race, the Chambal remains one of the most pristine rivers in India today. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get Custom Essay Garadia Mahadev is definitely worth a half day visit from Kota. Having a picnic in this place is a lot of fun. Since the infrastructure in terms of food, water and sanitation is limited, it is advisable to plan.